Hi all, it's been a long time since my last post and I hope this finds you all well. I only wish it were a more pleasant topic but it's about BED BUGS...I've got them! I'm not sure where they came from - I guess I'm a prime candidate as I stay in a lot of hotels both in Bali/Indo & abroad.At first I thought they were ticks however I'm now confident they're bed bugs (BB). A day of google searches as well as clearing and washing everything in my room has filled me with dread - so many horror stories of how impossible BBs are to get rid of. I've called a pest controller that is 'meant to be' doing an inspection tomorrow but I'm not sure how much experience they have with this type of infestation. I'm a little worried I may have done the wrong thing by basically pulling my bedroom apart today - at the time it seemed like the right move according to early reports & recommendations I read.It seems that one of the more effective methods of controlling them is steaming their habitat. Although much of the research I've done suggests that a powerful commercial steamer is required but they're expensive. I didn't have time today to go out and source high-end steamers but I checked Ace's website and they seem to mainly stock steaming systems for ironing delicate fabrics (not too expensive). I think I'd prefer to hire a commercial steamer and steam everything in sight for a few days. I've also read that steaming works best with specialised long acting powder insecticides. I'm wondering if anyone knows of anywhere I might be able to hire a powerful steam cleaner and or purchase an effective powder insecticide for bed bugs? Recommendations for exterminators with proven experience with bed bugs would also be greatly appreciated. Google doesn't seem to be offering much.Any other constructive tips or suggestions would also be welcomed.We have an almost constant flow of visitors and I'm feeling decidedly like a leper. I'm dreading contacting people to let them know of our infestation and at the moment I don't even feel confident visiting others. So if anyone has had any first or second hand experience with these despicable creatures and it wasn't as horrific as the nightmares I was reading about today - I'd love to hear about it!BTW - I'm thinking of purchasing an ironing steamer regardless. I'll definitely be purchasing a clothes dryer as it seem that a steamer & clothes dryer will be my best line of defence until I'm confident the evil & stubborn little creatures are gone for good. Never looked at purchasing a clothes dryer here & guess I'll start at Carrefour...anywhere else I should try? I want to do this fast so not much time for shopping around.Cheers & thanks in advance :icon_e_surprised:.
Yes, you picked them up in another bedroom for sure. I have had two episodes with them in Bali.You have to remember that they don't hide in the bedding but in the tiny cracks and narrow spaces within furniture, in flooring and windows. They lay eggs in the FABRIC of the house so the steamer on its own won't work. You need to dismantle things. eg. take out the drawers and look inside the casing and the ends of the drawers etc. Bed bugs are actually related to cockroaches and breed in a similar way. They are surprisingly large bugs, the size of your small fingernail. Perhaps try using ordinary surface spray but get it into all the dark nooks and crannies. If at all possible, douse the room and don't use it for a couple of weeks at least. Douse it every few days in case eggs hatch that you didn't reach. To check if they are gone, lie down on the bed with the lights out for half an hour then get off the bed and quickly turn the lights on, if you see any crawly at all, they are still there.From then on, NEVER bring your travel bags into your bedroom or even the house if at all possible. Take everything out of it outside, shake out then wash all clothes in hot water. Spray the hell out of the bag and anything else in it. These bugs will even lay eggs inside electrical equipment if they can get in. Learn to store travel stuff away from the bedroom altogether. When away from home, try to stow your bag off the floor and as far from the bed as you can. This problem is only going to get worse. We originally got rid of bedbugs and their cousins, body lice, by drenching the planet in DDT but I think that is finally wearing off. Good luck.